AGA Youth Events

The AGA runs, administers or sponsors several events for youth players throughout the calendar year. Some of these, such as the US Youth Go Championship, are major national championships, while others are organized to provide youth players with the opportunity to compete and interact with their go-playing peers.

Major championships

There are several major events of interest to AGA youth players:

US Youth Go Championship The USYGC is held every year at eight regional qualifier locations around the country. The season begins in January and the finals are held in May. Any youth player who is under 18 may may compete at a qualifier event. Representatives from each regional championship will go on to compete at the USYGC finals, where the tournament champions will be selected to represent the United States at the World Youth Goe Championship. Players in USYGC and WYGC will have their ways paid to both events.

World Youth Goe Championship The World Youth Goe Championship (WYGC) is the world's second-longest running international amateur tournament. Sponsored by the Ing Wei'Chi Foundation, the tournament has invited youngsters from around the world to compete for more than twenty years. This event often provides an early showcase for talent of the future. Top professionals as Chang Hao, Lee Sedol and Gu Li have all had strong showings at the the WYGC early in their careers.

Redmond Cup Named after Michael Redmond, the world's strongest western go player and the only one to have achieved the top rank of Professional 9 Dan, the Redmond Cup is the nation's oldest youth tournament.. The Redmond Cup is held online, beginning in March, with the finals played at the US Go Congress every year. The top two players in each age bracket will have their way paid to the Congress, and will also receive part of a $1,000 prize pool.

The AGHS School Team Tournament A team competition similar to the ones in Hikaru no Go. Teams can be formed by any school with at least three go players, by home-schooled kids who want to play together, and by kids from alternative schools and public library clubs. Substantial prizes are awarded in every bracket. The competition begins in March and all games will be played on KGS. The tournament is run by the American Go Honor Society, in conjunction with the AGA.

Friendship matches

In addition to major championships, youth players also compete in friendship tournaments and goodwill matches:

USA-Canada Youth Friendship Match The first of hopefully many friendship tournaments between North American youth players. This event provides the opportunity for youth players on both sides to get top-level playing experience and make new go playing friends. The tournament is organized as a team match, with players being invited to compete based on their standing in the ratings lists.

TransAtlantic Youth Friendship Match The first of hopefully many friendship tournaments between North American and European youth players. This tournament is formatted as a team match with ten players per side playing in two sessions of five players each.

Local events

Local youth tournaments can be found all across the country; check your closest club or AGA chapter. If you can't find a local tournament, consider organizing one. The American Go Foundation will provide $50 in prizes for any youth tournament sponsored by an official club.

The AGA also provides free anime prizes to AGA Chapters who wish to encourage more youth attendance at their tournaments. Full details can be found here.

US Youth Go Championship	The USYGC is held every year at eight regional qualifier locations around the country. The season begins in January and the finals are held in May. Any youth player who is under 18 may may compete at a qualifier event. Representatives from each regional championship will go on to compete at the USYGC finals, where the tournament champions will be selected to represent the United States at the World Youth Goe Championship. Players in USYGC and WYGC will have their ways paid to both events.

World Youth Goe Championship	The World Youth Goe Championship (WYGC) is the world's second-longest running international amateur tournament. Sponsored by the Ing Wei'Chi Foundation, the tournament has invited youngsters from around the world to compete for more than twenty years. This event often provides an early showcase for talent of the future. Top professionals as Chang Hao, Lee Sedol and Gu Li have all had strong showings at the the WYGC early in their careers.

Redmond Cup	Named after Michael Redmond, the world's strongest western go player and the only one to have achieved the top rank of Professional 9 Dan, the Redmond Cup is the nation's oldest youth tournament.. The Redmond Cup is held online, beginning in March, with the finals played at the US Go Congress every year. The top two players in each age bracket will have their way paid to the Congress, and will also receive part of a $1,000 prize pool.

The AGHS School Team Tournament	A team competition similar to the ones in Hikaru no Go. Teams can be formed by any school with at least three go players, by home-schooled kids who want to play together, and by kids from alternative schools and public library clubs. Substantial prizes are awarded in every bracket. The competition begins in March and all games will be played on KGS. The tournament is run by the American Go Honor Society, in conjunction with the AGA.

USA-Canada Youth Friendship Match	The first of hopefully many friendship tournaments between North American youth players. This event provides the opportunity for youth players on both sides to get top-level playing experience and make new go playing friends. The tournament is organized as a team match, with players being invited to compete based on their standing in the ratings lists.
TransAtlantic Youth Friendship Match	The first of hopefully many friendship tournaments between North American and European youth players. This tournament is formatted as a team match with ten players per side playing in two sessions of five players each.